Lynch said the investigation, separate from the department's ongoing review of last year's shooting of Laquan McDonald, will focus on the agency's use of force,including "racial, ethnic and other disparities."
"Every American expects and deserves the protection of law enforcement that is effective. responsive, respectful and most importantly constitutional," Lynch said. "Our goal in this investigation is not to focus on individuals but to improve systems."
A formal request for such an inquiry came last week from the state attorney general, Lisa Madigan, as well as Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat and the state's senior U.S. senator. It is rare for the Justice Department not to act on such public requests for assistance.
Lynch said the investigation, which is expected to take months, will also examine CPD's accountability mechanisms, including its disciplinary actions and its handling of allegations of misconduct.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel initially said such an investigation would be "misguided" until a federal criminal probe of the shooting death of 17-year-old McDonald by officer Jason Van Dyke is completed. But Emanuel quickly changed course and said he would welcome federal involvement.
"I welcome today's announcement by the Department of Justice and pledge the City’s complete cooperation," Emanuel said in a statement following Lynch's announcement. "Our mutual goal is to create a stronger, better police department that keeps the community safe while respecting the civil rights of every Chicagoan."
Release of the video nearly two weeks ago touched off days of protests in Chicago and calls for the resignation of Emanuel and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.
No comments:
Post a Comment